I was one of the people crying the loudest when 302 West in Geneva abruptly closed in March. But now there’s good news. Chef Jeremy Lycan, sommelier Jody Richardson and a passel of former 302’ers (including virtually the entire front-room and kitchen staffs, Lycan says) have banded together to create a new restaurant–very much in the 302 West mold–just a block away from their former workplace. Lycan, Richardson and investors have leased the Chez Francois space (14 S. Third St., Geneva) from owners Francois and Betty Sanchez (who will go from being restaurateurs to landlords) and will open in late summer as a 65-seat contemporary American restaurant called Niche. “It’s been hard to contain myself,” says a clearly overjoyed Lycan. “This is an opportunity I never thought I was going to have.”
For fans of Chez Francois, the bistro will remain open until June 24. “We’re going to take the summer off,” says Francois Sanchez. “We’ll enjoy the family, and maybe I’ll see a psychiatrist to see if there’s anything left after 33 years in the restaurant business.” 630-262-1000.
Not only has the former Le Meridien Hotel been reborn as the Conrad Chicago (521 N. Rush St.), but Cerise restaurant is about to get a name change as well. For now it’s simply being called the Restaurant at the Conrad, but that’s just temporary; eventually, a new name and concept will be selected, and new executive chef Baasim Zafar evidently is in no hurry. “Basically I’m concentrating on the Terrace [the hotel’s outdoor space] and the global-tapas menu, seeing what will work in Chicago,” he says. What’s working so far at the Terrace are the dim sum basket with chile-ancho and wasabi-ginger dipping sauces, the Moroccan lamb with couscous and chickpea sauce and the thin-sliced, crispy-fried okra coated with black salt, mango powder and pomegranate seeds. 312-645-1500.
Of the many reasons to visit Park Grill (11 N. Michigan Ave.)–including the Millennium Park location, the sprawling outdoor cafe, a menu that includes one of the three best burgers in Chicago–there’s now one more. Christine McCabe, last seen at the defunct (for now) Sugar, has signed on as pastry chef. “It’s great to be here,” says McCabe, whose new dessert menu is already in place. “I’m having a lot of fun.” As for her efforts to resurrect Sugar, McCabe says the project is still in the works. But with a lease yet to sign and money to raise and construction to launch, it looks like McCabe will be baking under The Bean for a while. 312-521-7275.
A “beerbecue” matching barbecue food to various premium beers will be held 5:30-8 p.m. Wednesday at Rhapsody (65 E. Adams St.). Cost is $35, including tax and tip. 312-786-9911.
Carlucci (1801 Butterfield Rd., Downers Grove) will host a summer celebration in its patio garden at 6 p.m. Friday. There will be live entertainment, complimentary appetizers, martini and wine stations (drink tickets $3) and giveaways. Free admission. 630-512-0990.
ChicagoOriginals, an organization of independent Chicago restaurants, will host a Food and Wine Festival, benefiting the March of Dimes, at 6 p.m. June 22 at Galleria Marchetti (825 W. Erie St.). There will be food tastings by 20 restaurants, among them Cafe Bernard, Cafe Matou, Cyrano’s Bistrot & Wine Bar, Dinotto Ristorante, Le Petit Paris, Socca, Papillon and Vivere. There also will be live entertainment and silent auctions. Tickets are $60 advance, $75 door. Order tickets through Cyrano’s at 312-467-0546, or online at chicagooriginals.com.
The fifth annual “Artistry of Wine–Food & Wine Pairings,” a benefit for the Foundation Fighting Blindness, will take place at 6:30 p.m. June 22 in the Grand Ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton Chicago (160 E. Pearson St.). Participating restaurants include Avenue M, The Dining Room, Les Nomades, Michael and Spiaggia. Besides the food and wine, there will be a silent auction. Tickets are $150; two companion tickets are $275. 847-680-0100 or www.fightblindness.org.
Sweet deals: Stop by Devon Seafood Grill (39 E. Chicago Ave., 312-440-8660) on Thursdays, when lobsters are priced at cost (about $10) so long as you order a cocktail too. (Quantities limited; one lobster per customer.). Sundays through Thursdays, swing by Green Dolphin Street (2200 N. Ashland Ave.) for a three-course dinner priced at $31. 773-395-0066.
———-
pvettel@tribune.com
